05/26/2019 09:51:13 PM
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| Maria official movie poster (IMDB) |
It seems to me that VIVA Films has been producing some of the high-quality local movies recently. Buy Bust somehow raved for its grotesque and proved Anne Curtis can be a tough ass-kicking agent, plus Arjo Atayde being such a devilish guy as a character actor.
Enter Maria into the equation. It is Pedring Lopez's latest Filipino mainstream action thriller since Nilalang in 2015. While the Maria Ozawa-Cesar Montano picture met lukewarm reception and a bit of controversy, MARIA became a resounding name thanks to Cristine Reyes' acting prowess that set herself apart from being a sexy siren.
Despite staying for only a little while, MARIA delivered a stellar showing they initially promised. Some may say as if it's our female version of John Wick but somehow stood apart from the latter with its Filipino-esque standing.
Either way, you would never want to make a mess to one of these peeps. YOU CLEARLY DON'T or you won't get out with complete limbs. Hell, I can bet my money on the stint that Lily/Maria can wrestle a mob without breaking a sweat. Interesting to notice, though, that KC Montero's worth as an antagonist rapidly grew in such a resilient form. Lording over Ivan Padilla and even the veteran Freddie Webb.
Obviously, there may be a formula that comprises for a decent chunk of a local thriller flick: Pedring Lopez's signature chops of graphical violence, Sonny Sison's art of choreographed stunts, Pao Orendain's beautifully chaotic cinematography work; and noir-driven scoring by Jesse Lasaten, and Mr. Bones and The Boneyard Circus.
Should they decide to put up a sequel or even a franchise, all I can say is eliminate some robotic-ish spiels and antics. And more wide shots during the combat scene, too. Somehow, the Netflix version would do more justice (and we mean more graphical gore that grooves well with the horror rock band).
Maria was a damn femme fatale at its near-flawless self.
The Verdict: 8.6/10
Maria is an action-drama motion picture by Viva Films, BlackOps Studios Asia, and Psyops8. Starring Cristine Reyes, KC Montero, Germaine De Leon, Ronnie Lazaro, Guji Lorenzana, Jennifer Lee, and Freddie Webb. Written by Pedring Lopez, Yz Carbonell, and Rex Lopez. Directed by Pedring Lopez.
Author: slickmaster | © 2019 The SlickMaster's Files
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